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Mongoose Vectored Thrust Ore Scout

***** DISCLAIMER: The SE update removing the private text field from LCD Panels has broken the scripting on this vehicle. I will release a newer version eventually. Until then, don't download this unless you are willing to fix the scripting on your own. ***


Hi everyone,
I'm Wesley (or Xanthyn), and this the Mongoose Vectored Thrust Ore Scout!

This is a small grid rover with a vectored thrust system and a large grid ore detector. This is a fun, immersive, survival friendly build that can be piloted easily from first person view. This build is meant to get the job done with very few materials, and as much energy efficiency as possible (since all of those things are in short supply on planets, especially in the early game). With the exception of few luxury blocks, you could weld up a working version of this build straight from your landing craft in survival. Be careful! She is fast and capable, but hard to drive safely at first, so practice up in creative before you build her in survival.

NOTE: Keen broke Georgik's 3d projection script the day I released this, but Georgik has released a fix. Please subscribe to his script from the link below and re-load the script on the "diagnostic" program block - it will work just fine :)
ALSO NOTE: If you want to build this thing in survival without crashing the game or exploding, read this:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=801634349


This is an feature rich build utilizing 6 scripts and just one mod (all listed and linked below). Don't be intimidated, all of the scripts come pre-configured. I make extensive use of Coren's Easy Automation script to switch which scripts are displayed on the Mongoose's two text panels.
Since's Digi's attachment block can only be place on the large grid first, just place a large grid station block into some voxels, build the ore detector on top, place Digi's attachment block on the ore detector, then place the projector on the attachment block and weld her on up.


Feature List:

1. Vector Selector
The second cockpit tab is your vector selector.
Pressing the number keys will automatically swivel the vectored thrust nacelles to your desired position, unlocking and re-locking automatically when they are within 1 degree of the desired vector. The menu screen will display a pink arrow indicating which direction your nacelles are facing, so you can stay in first person at all times. A red ring will appear when rotors are unlocked and the nacelles are swiveling. The vector selector is powered by Coren's Easy Automation V2 script.

Note: I made the Vector Selector ASCII art myself - thanks Krypt for getting monospace font added!

2. Repair Mode: Lifts the vehicle off the ground on pistons/landing gear for easy access.
Automatically activates and aligns ship repair projector.
Displays 3D Ship Projection for easy diagnostics, replacing the artificial horizon.
Displays repair mode message on Vector Selector screen.
Activate from Tab 1 or the left hand button on the front of the Mongoose.

3. Drive Mode: Lowers vehicle to the ground
Turns off repair projector
Turns off 3D Ship Projection
Activates Whip's Artificial Horizon Script
Displays message on menu screen.
Activate from Tab 1 or the right hand button on the front of the Mongoose.

4. Inventory/Battery Display Toggle
With one button press, you can toggle between Whip's Artificial Horizon and MMaster's Configurable LCD. I have a few basic things pre-configured, but feel free to customize to your liking using the public text on the right hand text screen.

5. Repair Elevators:
Since jet packs are very impractical on planets, the Mongoose comes equipped with two external button operated piston elevators that can lift you high enough to hop on top of the craft and effect repairs without using hydrogen. As long as both landing gear are intact, the Mongoose can stand on one "foot" and lift you up with the other.

6. Large grid ore detector - triple the range of small grid ore detector (only works when all blocks are transferred to "Me"). Merged with the small grid using Digi's Attachments mod.

Scripts and mods are listed below, I highly recommend subscribing to them!

Mods:
Attachments - large to small grid without limits! By"Digi"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=516770964

Scipts:

1. Ackermann Steering - Suspension Block Controller by "plaYer2k"
http://forum.keenswh.com/threads/wip-ackermann-steering-suspension-block-controller.7372331/
2. Whip's Artificial Horizon Script by "Whiplash141"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=713653017
3. Whip's Rotor Thruster Manager (Works with Pistons and Connectors!) by "Whiplash141"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=757123653
4. Configurable Automatic LCDs by "MMaster"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=403921671
5. 3D Ship Projection by "Georgik"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=795436803&searchtext=
6. Easy Automation V2.0 by "Coren'"
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=694296356

Hotbar list:
See this guide to copy/paste in the Easy Automation Script arguments necessary to repair the cockpit in survival:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=801634349

Tab 1:
1. Repair Mode
2. Drive Mode
3. Atmo thrusters off
4. Toggle Ion thrusters (leave them off by default, these are only for if you become undocked from a hanger in space by mistake).
5. Toggle Ore detector
6. Toggle Oxy generator
7. Toggle repair projector
8. Toggle MMaster's configurable LCD
9. Toggle wheels safety lock (not recommended unless the parking break isn't enough to keep you from sliding around).

Tab 2: Vector selector

Tab 3:
1-2: External elevators. These will mostly be used using the external button panels.
4-7: For righting a capsized buggy. Point the fans up with Vector Selector, then turn off the thruster manager with 7, adjust the fans override with 4/5, and switch the fans on with 6. This is necessary because there is no upward facing fixed thruster (I wanted to save on weight/parts). Just Turn the thruster manager back on with 7 after you are upright and the script will reset the other parameters.
8. Toggle Steering inversion on front wheels
9. toggle Steering inversion on back wheels


Tab 4:
These are the arguments needed to configure the 3D projection script (see the workshop link above). It should already be configured just fine, but the buttons are here if you need them.

Tab 5: Buttons for manually scrolling the Configurable LCD if you customize it to be too long to fit on the screen.

Known Bugs:
1. Ackerman Steering script occasionally reverses steering on front or back wheels. This can be remedied easily by going to cockpit tab 3 and pressing the appropriate hot key (8 and/or 9) to invert steering on the affected wheels.
2. When re-loading the world,the left text panel gets confused about what to display. Just press any of the easy automation hotbuttons to fix it.
3. When welding wheels from the projection, sometimes the wheel will not want to weld. This is a bug with the game, but can usually be remedied by re-loading the world.
4. If the vehicle is parked with landing gear locked onto voxels for an extended period, the ship will sometimes become subject to Klang. This is a known bug with the game, which I can do nothing about. Try to park the vehicle using the handbrake.
5. When the vehicle is plummeting through the air at maximum speed, rotors will automatically lock, preventing vector selection and in some cases causing the grid to become completely static and hit the ground without wheel suspension doing it's job. I have no idea how to prevent this, so pay attention to your speed and use the air brakes to avoid hitting max velocity.